CSU Northridge vs UC Riverside Prediction 3/6/25 College Basketball Picks

The Cal State Northridge Matadors are visiting the UC-Riverside Highlanders on Thursday, March 6th at the SRC Arena. We will look at this from a betting perspective and determine the best bets for this game. Here’s a Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UC-Riverside Highlanders Prediction. We will examine:

The UC-Riverside Highlanders’ recent form and player performance

The Cal State Northridge Matadors’ recent form and player performance

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the UC-Riverside Highlanders

Recent betting trends and streaks involving the Cal State Northridge Matadors

Recent betting trends in games played between the Cal State Northridge Matadors and UC-Riverside Highlanders

A summary that ties it all together and produces a favorable betting outcome for the Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UC-Riverside Highlanders game

UC-Riverside Highlanders Preview

The UC Riverside Highlanders have a 19-11 record this season and are sitting in 4th place in the Big West. They are coming off an 82-76 win over Hawaii. The Highlanders are 17-10-1 against the spread, and 17-11 in over/under while having a 13-1 home record.

Offensively, UC Riverside is averaging 74.6 points per game, which ranks 156th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 73.8 points per game (241st). The Highlanders shoot 42.6% from the field (300th) and 34.1% from beyond the arc (184th). The Highlanders shoot 74.8% from the free throw line (85th) and are grabbing 37.4 rebounds per game (78th).

Barrington Hargress leads UC Riverside in scoring this season, with an average of 20.1 points, adding a team-high 3.9 assists, while Isiah Moses adds 11.5 points and 2.9 assists per game.

Cal State Northridge Matadors Preview

The Cal State Northridge Matadors have a 21-8 record this season and are sitting in third place in the Big West. The Matadors are coming off a 103-77 win over UCSB. The Matadors are 15-12 against the spread, and 14-13 in over/under while having a 10-5 road record.

Offensively, Cal State Northridge is averaging 80.9 points per game, which ranks 37th in the nation. Defensively, they allow 71.5 points per game (165th). The Matadors shoot 47.1% from the field (58th) and 34.3% from beyond the arc (167th). The Matadors shoot 73.2% from the free-throw line (136th) and are grabbing 40.4 rebounds per game, which is the 100th-best nationally.

Marcus Adams leads Cal State Northridge in scoring this season, with an average of 16.3 points and 4.8 rebounds, while Scotty Washington adds 14.7 points and 3.1 rebounds per game. 

Why the UC Riverside Highlanders will win

• UC Riverside has won 14 of its last 15 games at Student Recreation Center Arena.
• Cal State Northridge has lost each of its last three games at Student Recreation Center Arena.
• UC Riverside has won the first half in six of its last seven games against Cal State Northridge.

Why the Cal State Northridge Matadors will win

• Cal State Northridge has won eight of its last nine games.

Total Points Facts

• Eleven of the last 12 games between Cal State Northridge and UC Riverside have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.
• Eight of Cal State Northridge’s last nine games at Student Recreation Center Arena have produced a total of 148 or fewer points.

Matchup/League Facts

• UC Riverside ranks T24th among Division 1 teams for opponent steals per game this season (5.4).
• UC Riverside ranks T28th among Division 1 teams for field goal attempts per game this season (62.5).
• Cal State Northridge ranks 361st among Division 1 teams for opponent free throws made per game this season (18.0).
• Cal State Northridge ranks 5th among Division 1 teams for rebound percentage this season (56.6%).

Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UC-Riverside Highlanders Prediction

UC-Riverside is 8-1 in their last 9 meetings against Cal State Northridge and is 6-1 against the spread in their last 7 meetings. In their previous meeting earlier this season, UC-Riverside won 68-64 on the road, covering the spread, as the game went under the point total.

In this Cal State Northridge Matadors vs UC-Riverside Highlanders Prediction, Cal State Northridge is coming as -1.5 road favorites. Both teams have similar records this season and have been playing very good basketball.  UC-Riverside is almost perfect at home, while Cal State Northridge has been well above average on the road. Both teams are also in excellent form lately, as they are 7-1 and 3-1 in their recent games, but UC-Riverside is 4-1 against the spread in their last 5, and Cal State Northridge is 2-4 against the spread in their last 6. UC-Riverside has been dominating Cal State Northridge in recent years, and has already won them on the road this season, so I like them as home favorites in this spot. Take the UC-Riverside Highlanders and the plus points at home.

Nikos Lagouretos's Pick: UC-Riverside Highlanders +1.5